In times past, digital skills were seen to be luxurious that only the elite or intelligent can afford to learn and acquire. These skills were also seen to be for those who are in the computer science field and require high IQ or mathematical skills to be able to acquire them.
Today, digital skills cut across industries and everywhere. Teachers are somewhat left out of the equation of having to acquire and deploy teaching and learning using digital tools. Most teachers have a hard time using a computer for teaching purposes either by using MS-word for notes, MS-PowerPoint for more visual presentations, MS-Access for record-keeping or databases, MS-Excel for manipulation of numbers, etc.
The Corona Virus outbreak has exposed the digital skills gap that exists among our teachers in Ghanaian schools. Teachers have close and direct contact with our school children and for us to grow and breed digitally literate citizens, our teachers must be the first point of call. This will enable them to communicate with their students digitally, know how to collaborate, and share information with colleagues, administration, students, and parents among others. Â Â
It’s been two weeks and Genius IT Foundation has commenced its Digital Skills enhancement program. The program which was planned was scheduled to help introduce teachers to basic skills in the basic use of ICT tools to collaborate, teach and communicate.
The training has left beneficiaries of the training amazed at what their computers can help them achieve. As this is the maiden edition, the training will continue to have most schools in the Region (Volta) digitalize their schools, thereby helping Genius IT Foundation achieve its aim of producing digital citizens across the region for productivity to skyrocket. This will also enable our teachers compete for world-class teaching standards.
This is great in a way of preparing our students and teachers for any future happening. If schools should close down again for any reason, teachers and students together with parents should be able to continue teaching and learning, communicating and collaborating at all levels very effectively online using digital and communication tools.
We at Genius IT Foundation keep taking steps today in preparation for the future which is digitalized.
We call on all stakeholders to come on board and contribute to this great project.
